Category Archives: Amazon Parrot

Spring Fling

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My publisher is tossing a Spring Fling for her authors. From April 15- May 15 the ebook, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure” will be slashed from $5.99 all the way down to $1.99. While I already have a copy of my own ebook, this will give m a chance to check out the other authors that are part of my publishers umbrella.

If you have not had a chance to check the book out, here is a great opportunity to give it a whirl. Even if you don’t like it, you can’t beat the price. But I hope you do enjoy the story within the electronic pages that comprise volume one of my Jasper series.

 

Release day: Celebration

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This past Saturday I had a celebration. It was the release of my first book, “Jasper, Amazon Parrot: A Rainforest Adventure” and it was time to enjoy that. I decided to eat out at a local restaurant in town and raise a glass of wine in the air. I could have done this alone and still enjoy the day.

But instead I sent the word out to some friends and writers I knew. What occurred was a gathering of 12 people snuggled close together enjoying and supporting my accomplishment. My friend Robin started it well by sprinkling the table with green stars in Jasper’s honor. That was awesome. She included a gift basket that had a bag of millet sprays for Jasper so he could be included.

Four hours of chatter, laughter and just enjoyment by people who get what I have done. It went by fast as food was eaten, wine was drunk and the day went on by. My book signings won’t be coming for a few weeks so this was the next best thing.

I am proud of myself. This was my goal three years ago when I started this project. I was not going to settle for writing a book to read to my grandchildren down the road. I did not let road bumps deter me. I learned from my mistakes, listened to good advice, and with a lot of time and effort it is now here.

Jasper is oblivious to all of this. He just knows mom gives him shelled almonds and goes on and on how he will be big. So long I pat him on his back, belly,wings, and head he is good.

Life is good right now for my bird and me.

Marketing My Book

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Even though my book got picked up by a traditional publisher, it doesn’t mean I don’t have to spread the word and do some marketing of my own. This is tough for I am by all accounts a shy person. Times are tough for books. They are competing with ebooks, tablets and people giving away their books for free for reviews. So a year before I started actively submitting “Jasper, Amazon Parrot:A Rainforest Adventure” I hit the social media scene.

You can find me here:

-Facebook

-Google +

-Twitter

-Linkedin

-Pinterest

-Goodreads

-Shelfari

I am on a few others but these are the big ones. I started to network, meeting various people in various stages of their book. Along the way I met some awesome friends. I came across people who helped me in so many different ways. Ami who worked on my query letter that got my book into a few editor’s hands. I met my editor, Nancy, who is just amazing with her talents. I have met writers who have helped me with questions and problems when it came to social media. This is a market every author, whether self published or traditional, needs to tap into. It is pure gold for the taking, you just have to reach for it. And by the way it’s how I met my publisher.

It is time-consuming when you first start. This was the main reason a year prior to submitting I became pro active with my book and the means to promote it. It has been a few years since then and now my social media format just need checking on for maintenance. Being shy won’t cut it in this market. You have to take a deep breath and step forward. Your book needs you to be there for it. It can’t do it alone. And why should it? It has been with you for so long why abandon it now?